Cherchez la femme! A Journey through the Nosiola Wineries

Delicate, unpredictable and highly complex: the queen of Trentino’s white grapes

This indigenous white grape variety is curious not only for its feminine name but also for its fascinating history and the diverse oenological interpretations that producers enjoy creating: the most widespread version is a fresh white wine, followed by the passito (sweet dessert wine), but there are also macerated or sparkling versions.

Cultivated for centuries in the Adige, Cembra, and Lagarina valleys, as well as the Valle dei Laghi, the Nosiola grape appears in historical archives as early as the 1800s and is considered today the primary indigenous white variety of Trentino.

You have almost certainly noticed the phonetic similarity between Nosiola and the Italian word nocciola (hazelnut). Indeed, that is exactly where the name comes from: its fragrance and slightly almond-like finish earned it this title.

Just like a woman, Nosiola takes root where the environmental conditions make her "feel at home." She gives her best in specific areas of the province: you can often find her on the sunny hills of Lavis and Sorni, north of Trento, where the soil is calcareous and rich in porphyritic rock—ideal for fresh, mineral, and long-lived wines.

Sensual and softer in its aromas is the Nosiola of the Valle dei Laghi, which thrives warmed by the sun of nearby Lake Garda and benefits from the coolness of the Ora, the wind that appears here from afternoon to evening. The local climate and the proximity of beautiful lakes provide the ideal conditions for drying the grapes in the wineries' drying rooms (fruttai), where Vino Santo Trentino is born—one of Italy’s most sought-after passito wines.

If you wish to discover all the secrets of this wonderful dessert wine, we recommend visiting the Casa Caveau Vino Santo oenological museum in Padergnone, less than a thirty-minute drive from Trento.

Wine Tourism: discovering Nosiola, between the Avisian hills and Garda

Immersing yourself in wineries scented with Nosiola Are you already imagining yourself sipping a glass of Nosiola among the sun-drenched vineyards of the Avisian hills? Or perhaps tasting Vino Santo paired with a selection of mountain cheeses under a winery porch, while the evening light over Lake Garda turns even more golden? Here, reality can even exceed expectations!

You could start planning your trip from the Colline Avisiane, specifically in the hamlet of Faedo at the foot of Val di Cembra. Mario Pojer and Fiorentino Sandri, from the eponymous winery, will tell you about the origins of their fresh and fruity Nosiola with volcanic energy. Across their 40 hectares of vines and artistic labels, they share the philosophy that has allowed them to conquer even overseas palates: drink to feel good.

Heading south, stop in Trento at the headquarters of Cantina Cavit (Cantina Viticoltori del Trentino), a cooperative that unites 11 social wineries. Here, the tasting experience allows you to explore three different Nosiola labels—ranging from fruity to floral—sourced from the grapes of growers in the Valle dei Laghi.

Take your time and let yourself be amazed by the landscape that opens before your eyes in the "land of lakes" as you move toward Garda. Near Lake Toblino, we enter the heart of the territory where Nosiola is transformed into Vino Santo.

Garda - Valle dei Laghi

In the hamlet of Santa Massenza—a village dedicated to distilling since the era of the Prince-Bishops of Trento—five related families sharing the same surname continue the tradition today. You can visit, for example, the Casimiro Poli winery by Bernardino Poli and the Maxentia winery by Enzo Poli. Two neighboring winemakers, both passionately dedicated to winemaking and distilling. Their Nosiola is highly elegant, straw-yellow in color, with a very delicate hint of hazelnut. Why not take the opportunity for a full tasting of Vino Santo?

After crossing one of Trentino’s most romantic corners, Castel Toblino, treat yourself to a stop at Cantina di Toblino, a bustling cooperative winery that collects much of the valley's Nosiola grapes. Its Hosteria Toblino is a gourmet paradise and a gem of design. Sit at a table and savor your glass!

In this area, between the lakes of Toblino and Santa Massenza, other wineries and distilleries worth a visit include Giulio & Mauro, Giovanni Poli in Santa Massenza, and the Pisoni winery nearby in the small village of Pergolese.